You observed proper procedure, my dear Pliny, in sifting the cases of those who had been denounced to you as Christians. For it is not possible to lay down any general rule to serve as a kind of fixed standard. They are not to be sought out; if they are denounced and proved guilty, they are to be punished, with this reservation, that whoever denies that he is a Christian and really proves it--that is, by worshiping our gods--even though he was under suspicion in the past, shall obtain pardon through repentance. But anonymously posted accusations ought to have no place in any prosecution. For this is both a dangerous kind of precedent and out of keeping with the spirit of our age.
-Trajan to Pliny the Younger
-Trajan to Pliny the Younger
-The Romans, at first, considered Christianity a cult.
- Jesus Christ's death was hardly noticed by Roman historians, and his crucifixion was politically motivated.
- Christians were persecuted for many years.
- Sedition is starting a rebellion against Rome in Jerusalem.
-The Jews had been looking for a messiah.
- In 33 CE, Jesus was tried and convicted of sedition.
- The Christian message was:
-not to be selfish
-God created all people and loves them
- Love one another
- The number one carrier of Christianity's message was Paul (Saul) of Tarsus.
- The Edith of Milan (created by Constantine) allowed all religions to practice their beliefs freely.
- Christian teaching spread rapidly.
- The promise of a better afterlife made the Christian message an attractive one.
- Christians were helpful to others, which helped Christianity's spread.
- Jesus Christ's death was hardly noticed by Roman historians, and his crucifixion was politically motivated.
- Christians were persecuted for many years.
- Sedition is starting a rebellion against Rome in Jerusalem.
-The Jews had been looking for a messiah.
- In 33 CE, Jesus was tried and convicted of sedition.
- The Christian message was:
-not to be selfish
-God created all people and loves them
- Love one another
- The number one carrier of Christianity's message was Paul (Saul) of Tarsus.
- The Edith of Milan (created by Constantine) allowed all religions to practice their beliefs freely.
- Christian teaching spread rapidly.
- The promise of a better afterlife made the Christian message an attractive one.
- Christians were helpful to others, which helped Christianity's spread.